level_act44side_05_end

Are you really going to Kajimachi, Mifune-san?

This is between me, Tessai, and Hoshiguma. I have to put an end to it personally.

If things go according to your plan, Tessai will yield, even without Hannya.

Does the idea of Hoshiguma coming back upset you so?

I don't see the need for it.

True, you would have much more work to do if she came back. I'll tell you this plainly, since you'll someday take over for me.

What do you think is the most important to living well in Mitsukue?

Unity?

No... the most important thing is beauty.

A fine appearance will turn the people's prejudices on their head. You and I, we all benefit from it.

If I kept looking like a thug, they would've kicked me off camera the first time I was on TV. I never could have built Kinseki Channel into what it is today.

It's important that we conduct our business with the proper look, with beauty.

There is an Ursine author—his name escapes me—he says that if a gun appears in the first act of a story...

Then a Lateran must hold it by the third act, at the latest.

I believe there is a Columbian group by the name of Blacksteel that uses guns as well, Mifune-san.

Well, you know what I mean.

Mitsukue is too big, and it has grown too quickly. A lot of times, it's hard for us to tell if we're doing the right thing...

And so, we must make sure that everything we do has a proper beginning and end, that everyone is in their proper place, and the trigger of every gun is pulled by the end. This is the proper appearance. This is beauty.

If I get your meaning... you want to see everything through to the bitter end.

Think of it however you want. Feel free to put my words to the test, once you become the Fourth Chairman of the Kinsekikai.

Right now, though, you should prepare to deal with Hoshiguma.

She is a tough one.

But she is an Oni, and one who has already gone berserk once.

Have you heard of an individual by the name of Qui'lon?

All I know is that he lived a very long time ago, and had something to do with the Oni and the temples.

Setting aside those old warrior stories, it's this legend that Tessai talked about the most.

I don't know if they are true, and they're often contradictory. For example, Tessai has told at least three different versions of how Qui'lon died.

But my favorite version is cruel... and beautiful.

Before he reached nirvana and entered Kaśjñāna, Qui'lon heard the cries of the last Oni when they were forced to become people of Ashihara.

By then, however, Qui'lon no longer had the strength to leave Ashoka, nor wield a sword to save his people, or even keep his fiery blue wrath in check—

The flames of rage took over Qui'lon's soul. He lost all reason, and in his mad rampage destroyed an entire army even as he lay at the gates of death, but the kin whom he was trying to protect were also destroyed by his sword.

It is unknown whether Qui'lon died of exhaustion, or took his own life, or whether he was so heartless that he attained nirvana, fully at peace with himself, in spite of what he did.

I'm not sure why you're telling me the legend of Qui'lon right now.

An Oni is at its frailest when it realizes its own powerlessness. As to whether what follows next is depression or madness...

Our foe has already demonstrated the answer, once.

Now, get some rest. I have a guest to greet.

Mifune-san... I bid you good health.

You're not hurt, are you?

No, no! I haven't slept better in a long while!

Yes, in your line of work, it's important to be of good humor, to smile...

To be inquisitive.

Call Hoshiguma. Tell her that... I have something to discuss.

See, Mifune-san... Hoshiguma helped me a lot, you know...

Helped you discover the truth of the Wanyuudou?

Yes—

But not only that, right?

What was going through your mind when you stood in front of your yatai, at a loss? Thinking about all those years you wasted chasing the kaidan, weren't you?

Now you know it was all fabricated. You were fooled by me and these kaidan stories I made up.

Why... Why did you do it?

None of your business. Just think of it as a stroke of bad luck. But life goes on, after all. So, if you're willing, there's something more concrete you can seize.

Are you trying to bribe me?

Bribe? No. Make the call, and you can keep up your little information broker gig going. Refuse, and you know what the Kinsekikai does to our enemies.

Mifune-san—

Would you like a reminder of how you lost your right eye?

I haven't forgotten. I barged in on one of your <i>negotiations</i> while chasing a kaidan...

I took one eye because you saw what you shouldn't have seen. I let you keep the other because I valued your talent, and as a warning to you.

Now, it's time you showed some gratitude.

Please, give me a few minutes to think—

Mifune slowly draws his blade.

Moriuchi's gaze is fixed upon the blade's tip, as it slowly moves to his own throat.

He gulps, unsure whether to open his mouth or close it—

What's that sound?

The office door is kicked open before Moriuchi can even react.

H-Hoshiguma?!

Go!

But you...

He can't keep me. And I have questions for him.

Moriuchi takes one long look at Hoshiguma and hastily leaves.

You don't seem anxious that I took someone from right under your nose.

Why should I be anxious, when something that I thought would take so much effort suddenly sorted itself out on its own?

Why did you forge that letter to bring me back?

It's complicated. I just told the story to somebody else, and I'm not in the mood to tell it again.

But the Old Man must know the simplest reason, however slow he might be... Hannya.

Hannya?!

You didn't even think of that? Some yakuza! No wonder he made an enemy out of his own son, him and his beloved Ao-Oni of Kinsekikai!

Mio!

I'm afraid your break's over. Stall her.

Alright.

You think your boys can beat Uncle Tessai if you stall me? Keep dreaming.

Why do you think victory is just a question of combat?

What are you planning, then?

You'll see.

Now, I'd better be going.

Hold it right there—

You'll be the one holding it, actually.

Fire, and humming.

The scattered screens continue to stand, unmoving.

They've escorted Mifune-san away. I will be your opponent.

Your blade. Draw it.

No need for the blade if it's you.

Is that so?

With the unpleasant sound of metal against metal, a black ethereal hand appears from behind Mio, leisurely wrapping itself around a white tantou.

Three hands, three blades.

You're strong, but that doesn't mean you have what it takes to get away from me, much less without drawing your blade.

You think the sword's my only weapon?

Before she finishes her sentence, Hoshiguma raises her right leg high and brings it down on the round table beside her, with great force.

The table flies into the air, blocking her opponent's view.

With a powerful leap, Hoshiguma points her sheathed sword at her foe's head—

Three flashes greet her, cutting the table open like a hot knife through butter.

The sheath encounters the black hand, delivering great force—

Hyaaah!

...Impressive power.

Why don't you draw your blade?

None of your business.

You're afraid.

Afraid? Me?

You're afraid that drawing your blade will cause something that you don't want to happen.

Qui'lon's death... I see.

What?

But what you fear will happen, whether you draw your blade or not, it will be your inevitable end. Assuming Mifune-san's predictions are accurate.

I don't really get it.

Despicable.

Me?

No, not you.

Me.

Run. Flee.

Moriuchi does not know how long he has been running. He can feel his own innards shaking and trembling.

Huff... huff... huff...

*cough* *cough*

D-Did I shake them?

You got out on your own?

Who's there?!

Forgot me so soon?

K-Kami-sama?

Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to help you. I don't like the answer about the kaidan that I got at your yatai.

I kind of hate it.

I... I get that.

I had planned on cutting ties with you and the kaidan entirely, perhaps even leave Mitsukue and take a trip to the north.

But someone asked me to do something.

The kannushi? He asked you to find me?

Not him.

Who else could it be, then?

You don't mean—

It asked me to bring you a single message.

'Meet me on your usual rooftop.'

C-Could it be...?

I've delivered the message. It's time to go.

The kami turns around on its unicycle. No sooner has it got on than it sees Moriuchi is already a long way off.

...Is this how you repay him, when he's searched for you for so many years?

You know what, it's none of my business.

Moriuchi runs up the steps.

He is running as hard as he can.

A breeze blows in Moriuchi's face as he opens the door.

Many a sunset has he watched lying on this rooftop, watching the sky turn from red to black, until the stars appear, before their light is overcome by the neon city.

The hour is early, and the sky should not look like dusk, but he pays little heed. Perhaps he considers it a sign of the coming of a kami.

He could not describe his own emotions as he gazes at the sky.

Excitement? Anxiety? Fulfillment? Emptiness? Sadness?

But he lies there, waiting for a guest who may never come...

Until the warm breeze sends him into slumber.

Father... I think there's something behind the Kamidana.

Behave yourself, Tooru! This is a sacred shrine!

But it's really there...

Come, Tooru, it's our turn to pray.

Please, Kami-sama, keep our family safe, and may we repay our debts soon...

There... the debt should be settled, with some money left over even...

We're out of the woods!

Wh-What are you doing here? Are you bored of the shrine?

Kami-sama, arigatou!

Father's mood has gotten a lot better, and mother has had time to take me out.

Can I come and see you again?

—No, I'll definitely come and see you again!

Our shop just opened! It's really pretty. Do you want to come and see it?

I'm sorry, Kami-sama, I've been busy helping out at home and haven't had time to come see you... please, don't be angry and let me see you?

K-Kami-sama? Are you still there? Did you leave? Or... do you not want to see me anymore?

I-I'll treat it like you don't want to see me, but you're still listening to me, okay?

Some things have happened at home. Father may have to go back to manual labor.

Mother's been sewing clothes for other people. Her eyesight's declining.

But I'm sure none of that has anything to do with you. You gave so many blessings to our family. Surely you wouldn't take it all back...

Surely...

Kami-sama, Father...

Father is dead. Overdrinking. The blow was too great for him.

...Where are you?

Please, Kami-sama... where are you?

This haunted house...

It's empty... something's not right!

It's connected to the nomadic city's superstructure?

H-How am I suppose to search this place? This is far more than just one house or Kajimachi. The whole plate might be connected...

No, don't get discouraged. As long as I find that bastard—

Wh-What's this?!

Tetsuya stands dumbfounded, staring at dozens of crates that someone has stacked up here.

He blinks a few times and opens one of them.

It's... weapons?!

Katana, crossbows... grenade launchers...

Is that... the Hoashi emblem? That major Northern Court clan? Is this where they hid their weapons?

He takes down a weapon-filled crate and opens the one underneath it, finding Northern Court standard-issue provisions and medical supplies inside.

He furiously takes the crates down one by one, opening all of them.

All contain military supplies manufactured by the Northern Court, every single one.

Th-The Northern Court weapons that Papa says aren't here? But they are—

You've gone too far, boy.

Who are you?

Oyabun wanted you to look for traces of Northern Court spies. It's enough that you found them. You've made a lot of work opening these up, one-by-one.

...Did you just take my picture?

This is big, after all. Best keep some evidence, to prevent disputes.

Let's go.

Where to?

To see Mifune-san.

W-Wait, you were stalking me?

That's not important. What's important is that you're working for Mifune-san, and so am I.

And take that mask off.

Huh?

You're meeting the oyabun. It's a little disrespectful to have your mask on, isn't it?

For some reason, Tetsuya feels a chill run up his spine, perhaps from the cold wind blowing in from the tunnels, but he has no choice but to comply.